<center><big><big><b>Sean Elliott and the trade that wasn't</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> Feb. 4, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment: </b> The Rockets pull off a major trade, sending second-year forward Robert Horry, backup forward Matt Bullard and two second-round draft picks to Detroit for forward Sean Elliott, a former all-star with San Antonio. <h3></h3>
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However, Elliott failed his physical because of a kidney condition, causing the trade to be called off two days later. That sent Horry and Bullard back to the Rockets. <h3></h3>
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It may be the best trade never made in franchise history, as it's hard to see the Rockets winning two titles without Horry's contributions. Elliott wound up back in San Antonio the following season and eventually got his ring with the Spurs in 1999. less

<center><big><big><b>'Choke City'</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 12, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment: </b>After blowing a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead and Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal against Phoenix at The Summit, the Chronicle's headline the next day brought to mind the city's recent sporting past with the Oilers squandering big leads in playoff games the previous two seasons and the Astros to that point never having won a playoff series.
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The Rockets used the headline as motivation, with Mario Elie even writing "Choke City" on his shoes. They eventually gave birth to a new headline.
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"When we came back and won, I said to John Thomas, who at the time was running the business, 'They he got the wrong car part.' It's Clutch City, not Choke City, ' " Rockets owner Leslie Alexander told the Chronicle. "I'm very proud of that. I think it's great. We used to have a post office. You could send mail to Clutch City, Texas. I am proud of that." less

<center><big><big><b>'Choke City'</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 12, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment: </b>After blowing a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead and Game 2 of the Western Conference ... more

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<center><big><big><b>Rising from the ashes</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 13-21, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Appearing to be on life support after losing the first two games at home against defending conference champion Phoenix in their West semifinal, the Rockets rallied to win four of the next five games, capping the series with a Game 7 victory at The Summit.
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The Rockets became just the second NBA team to win a best-of-7 series after losing the first two games at home. less

<center><big><big><b>Rising from the ashes</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 13-21, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Appearing to be on life support after losing the first two games at ... more

<center><big><big><b>Sam steps up</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 12, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> With home-court advantage in the NBA Finals gone after the Knicks' Game 2 win at The Summit, Sam Cassell (left) snatched it back for Houston at Madison Square Garden.
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The Rockets' rookie guard made a 3-pointer with 32.6 seconds left to put the Rockets ahead and sealed the game at the free-throw line to give the Rockets a 93-89 victory and 2-1 series lead. less

<center><big><big><b>Sam steps up</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 12, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> With home-court advantage in the NBA Finals gone after the Knicks' Game 2 win at ... more

<center><big><big><b>Game 5 ... and the white Bronco</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 17, 1994</b>
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<b> The moment:</b>The Rockets and the Knicks squared off at Madison Square Garden with the NBA Finals tied 2-2.
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But the game later took a backseat to the surreal O.J. Simpson white Bronco chase in Los Angeles. NBCA left Game 5 with the Knicks up 51-40 with 9:50 left in the third quarter. By the time game coverage resumed with a split screen and the Bronco chase taking up the bigger portion, there was 7:44 left in the fourth and New York was up 70-69.
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Needless to say, the game became footnote on a strange night in recent American history. less

<center><big><big><b>Game 5 ... and the white Bronco</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 17, 1994</b>
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<b> The moment:</b>The Rockets and the Knicks squared off at Madison Square Garden ... more

Photo: AL SCHABEN / Los Angeles Times file

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<center><big><big><b>Hakeem saves the day</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 19, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> With the Rockets up 86-84 in the final seconds at The Summit, Hakeem Olajuwon blocked John Starks' 3-point attempt at the buzzer to seal Houston's win and force Game 7 in the NBA Finals.
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Starks had been red-hot in the fourth quarter, with 16 of his 27 points coming in the final 12 minutes. less

<center><big><big><b>Hakeem saves the day</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 19, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> With the Rockets up 86-84 in the final seconds at The Summit, Hakeem ... more

Photo: Pat Sullivan / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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<center><big><big><b>Mad Max's dagger</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 22, 1994</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> In the first NBA Finals to go seven games since 1988, Vernon Maxwell provided the knockout punch for the Rockets.
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The Rockets led 80-75 with less than two minutes remaining and with the shot clock about to go off, Maxwell drained a 3-pointer to finish off New York and seal Houston's first pro sports championship since the Oilers' 1961 AFL title. less

<center><big><big><b>Maxwell loses it</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> Feb. 6, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> An unfortunate off-court incident saw Vernon Maxwell go into the stands after a fan at Portland's Memorial Coliseum. Maxwell said fan Steve George had made references to the player's stillborn daughter. George denied it, and the NBA slapped Maxwell with a 10-game suspension.
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After returning from his suspension, Maxwell chafed at coming off the bench in the wake of Clyde Drexler's arrival. He saw his playing time diminish before being suspended during the team's first-round series against Utah. less

<center><big><big><b>The Glide comes home</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> Feb. 14, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> With the defending champions needing a spark, management makes a blockbuster trade, acquiring former Sterling and UH star Clyde Drexler from Portland. The deal comes at a steep cost, with starting power forward Otis Thorpe going the other way.
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Panned by some at the time, especially after the Rockets went 17-18 after the trade to end the regular season, Houston had the last laugh. Drexler's scoring and leadership proved invaluable down the stretch and during the playoffs as he provided a viable second option behind Hakeem Olajuwon. It's hard to envision a repeat title happening without this deal. less

<center><big><big><b>Silencing the Jazz</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 7, 1995</b>
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<b> The moment:</b> The Rockets faced early adversity in their repeat bid. Trailing 2-1 in the first round against Utah, they won Game 4 at the Summit to force Game 5.
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But in Salt Lake City for the series finale, Houston trailed 82-75 with less than five minutes left. The Rockets, though, rattled off a 10-0 run en route to a 95-91 victory to keep their title defense alive. less

<center><big><big><b>Silencing the Jazz</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 7, 1995</b>
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<b> The moment:</b> The Rockets faced early adversity in their repeat bid. Trailing 2-1 in the ... more

Photo: Norm Perdue / The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

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<center><big><big><b>Drexler vs. O'Donnell</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 9, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Fresh off rallying to win the Utah series, the Rockets were dealt a blow in the first of Game 1 of the West semifinal at Phoenix.
Referee Jake O'Donnell handed Clyde Drexler a pair of quick technical fouls after the Rockets veteran protested a call.
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There had been ill will between the two for years and it culminated that night. Drexler's ejection fine was later rescinded and O'Donnell didn't work another game for the rest of the playoffs. less

<center><big><big><b>Drexler vs. O'Donnell</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 9, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Fresh off rallying to win the Utah series, the Rockets were dealt a blow in ... more

Photo: Scott Troyanos / Associated Press

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<center><big><big><b>Kiss of Death</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 20, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> After staving off elimination twice following a 3-1 series deficit, the Rockets and Suns put on a memorable Game 7 at America West Arena.
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Phoenix's Kevin Johnson missed a free throw - his first misfire from the line during the game - to leave the teams tied at 110 with 20 seconds left. The Rockets then worked the ball to Maro Elie all alone in the left corner. His 3-pointer hit nothing but net, with Elie then giving his famous "Kiss of Death" to the Phoenix bench.
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The Rockets held on to win 115-114 to become the first team to win a series after trailing 2-0 and 3-1. They also became the first road team to win a Game 7 since the 76ers did it at Boston in the 1982 Eastern final. less

<center><big><big><b>Kiss of Death</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 20, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> After staving off elimination twice following a 3-1 series deficit, the Rockets ... more

<center><big><big><b>Big Shot Rob</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 22, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Robert Horry made a career out of hitting big shots. Arguably the first such shot came in Game 1 of the Western final at San Antonio.
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Horry's 17-footer with 6.4 seconds left gave the Rockets a 94-93 victory against a Spurs team that had the NBA's best regular-season record (62-20). less

<center><big><big><b>Big Shot Rob</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 22, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Robert Horry made a career out of hitting big shots. Arguably the first such shot ... more

Photo: BRIAN BAHR / AFP/Getty Images

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<center><big><big><b>The Real MVP?</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 24, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> San Antonio's David Robinson accepted the MVP trophy before the game ... and then lived through a nightmare, with Hakeem Olajuwon making a statement by dropping 41 points and 16 rebounds on the Admiral.
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Included in that was the iconic series of spin moves that became known as the "Dream Shake." Olajuwon got the best of Robinson as the Rockets took the series in six to return to the NBA Finals. less

<center><big><big><b>The Real MVP?</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> May 24, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> San Antonio's David Robinson accepted the MVP trophy before the game ... and then ... more

Photo: Steve Campbell / Houston Chronicle

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<center><big><big><b>Nick's bricks</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 7, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> The Rockets looked like toast in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Orlando. With his team up 110-107 with 10.6 seconds left, the Magic's Nick Anderson went to the free-throw line for two shots and a chance to ice the game.
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Remarkably, Anderson missed four consecutive free throws - the latter two after an offensive rebound - giving the Rockets a puncher's chance. less

<center><big><big><b>Nick's bricks</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 7, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> The Rockets looked like toast in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Orlando. With his ... more

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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<center><big><big><b>The Jet soars</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 7, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Nick Anderson's four missed free throws gave the Rockets a chance to tie the score, and Kenny Smith made sure Anderson rued his misses.
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Smith took an inbounds pass, faked Penny Hardaway into the air and dropped in a 3-pointer to force overtime in a game in which the Rockets appeared dead to rights. less

<center><big><big><b>Dream's buzzer-beater</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 7, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Who else but Hakeem Olajuwon would end a marathon Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Orlando?
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After Clyde Drexler missed a driving layup, Olajuwon tipped in the rebound with 0.3 seconds left in overtime for a 120-118 win and more importantly, home-court advantage after Orlando looked to have a victory in the bag late in regulation. less

<center><big><big><b>Dream's buzzer-beater</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 7, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> Who else but Hakeem Olajuwon would end a marathon Game 1 of the NBA Finals ... more

Photo: TONY RANZE / AFP/Getty Images

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<center><big><big><b>Big Shot Rob ... again</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 11, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> If Orlando's spirit wasn't sapped after losing the first two games of the Finals at home, Robert Horry made sure it was.
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With 14.1 seconds left and the Rockets up a point, Horry swished a 3-pointer for the clinching bucket that put the Rockets on the cusp of a sweep. less

<center><big><big><b>Big Shot Rob ... again</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 11, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> If Orlando's spirit wasn't sapped after losing the first two games of ... more

Photo: Howard Castleberry / Houston Chronicle

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<center><big><big><b>How Sweep It Is </big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 14, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> With his team's second straight championship secure, Hakeem Olajuwon capped the series with a 3-pointer before the final buzzer
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That put the finishing touches on a remarkable playoff run in which the sixth-seeded Rockets defeated four teams that each won at least 57 games during the regular season, all without holding home-court advantage in any round. less

<center><big><big><b>Heart of a Champion</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 14, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> During the trophy presentation after Game 4 of the Finals against Orlando, Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich uttered the words that became immortal in Houston sports: "What I'd like to say to the non-believers is never underestimate the heart of a champion." less

<center><big><big><b>Heart of a Champion</big></b></center>
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<b>When:</b> June 14, 1995</b>
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<b>The moment:</b> During the trophy presentation after Game 4 of the Finals against Orlando, ... more

Narrated by actor Jim Caviezel, “Clutch City” offers a leisurely buildup to the Rockets’ championship years. The first third of the film, in fact, focuses on coach Rudy Tomjanovich’s upbringing in Hamtramck, Mich., with footage of a recent trip to his hometown, and Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon’s journey from Nigeria to Houston, capped by a conversation between the two at a Houston restaurant.

“It’s been a pretty special time here the last month or so with the 20th anniversary,” Tomjanovich said during a conference call last week. “I got to see a lot of the players I have not seen for a long time. I had told people to never underestimate these guys, and I had an opportunity there to thank them for all of the hard work.”

“Clutch City” revisits all the moments that fans recall from the championship years, including the surreal O.J. Simpson chase during Game 5 of the 1994 NBA Finals, Mario Elie’s “Kiss of Death” shot against the Suns in the 1995 West semifinal, Olajuwon’s manhandling of purported MVP David Robinson in that year’s West final and the buzzer-beating shots by Kenny Smith and Olajuwon in Game 1 of the 1995 Finals that essentially finished off the young Orlando Magic.

It also traces Olajuwon’s evolution from the young player that Tomjanovich first encountered as a Rockets assistant coach.

“Before he matured, he was a very emotional player who at times flared up and reacted in a way that wound up with me escorting him back to the locker room (after being ejected),” Tomjanovich said. “I saw him change.… The sacrifice and the respect he gave to his religion really touched me. I admired him for that faith that he had.”

Among the other topics tackled are Vernon Maxwell’s memories of his blowup and departure from the team following the trade for Clyde Drexler in 1995. Maxwell speaks at length on the topic, as do Smith and Robert Horry on the tension that accompanied Drexler’s arrival during the second championship season.

Also addressed is the question that invariably accompanies any discussion of the Rockets’ championships: Could they have won against Chicago Bulls teams with Michael Jordan at full throttle?